Creating a website is not an easy task for all. I struggle with what to include on the website. I also struggle with putting just the right information on the website to attract the attention of my audience. I want my students, teachers, parents and community to go to my website and get what they need and have fun while browsing the website. I don't want a website that is too busy and difficult to navigate by my elementary school students.
Through my research, I have learned that there is nothing wrong with looking at exemplary websites and following their example. In the school sytem where I work, it is pretty much required that each teacher/media specialist have a website. There are some great examples from veteran media specialist of how a website should look. I took a look at multiple websites and here are a few that I have some components that I like and would use on my website.
Mundy's Mill Middle School's website is very simple. It doesn't have as much information as I would like to see, but I did love how the media specialist put Frequently Asked Questions for Students, Teachers and Parents.
http://myschooldesk.net/clayton/teachersite.aspx#site.3547_pid.13446_mid.26316
Smith Elementary has a tab for volunteers. I often have parents who come in and want to volunteer. This section of the website clearly lets parents know what can be done in the media center.
http://myschooldesk.net/clayton/teachersite.aspx#site.6595_pid.27820_mid.48021
Lorena Elementary School has nice website. I love the simplicity of the home page. Students can click on Accelerated Reader, Find a book, Research, or Play and Learn. These are the main things that students will need to do and it is right there and clear.
http://es.lorenaisd.net/for_students/library_media_center
Harambee Elementary School just has a great looking website in my opinion. Everything is neatly arranged. It is not wordy at all on the home page. You can clearly see by the picture or the words where you want to go.
http://www.teacherweb.com/MN/HarambeeElementarySchool/MediaCenter/index.aspx
Magee Elementary School Library has a "Request a Book" link and I think this is a great feature. When it is time to order books in the fall, I am in need of input from teachers and students as to what they would like to see in the media center. This link can always be available so that you get recommendations throughout the year.
https://sites.google.com/a/kmsd.edu/magee-media-center/
I am not saying that these websites are the best. They just have components that I would like to add to my website. There are thousands of library websites to view. I will continue to search and make sure I create a great website for my library media center.
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